Mixing assemblies for applicators



17, 1967 G. SCHWARTZMAN 3,

MIXING ASSEMBLIES FOR APPLICATORS Filed Aug. 31, 1966 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTQA. $744559;- fa amerzlwm 1967 G. SCHWARTZMAN 3,

MIXING ASSEMBLIES FOR APPLICATORS Filed Aug. 31, 1966 2 Sheets$heet 2 330 g; w F/G'; 8

United States Patent 3,347,410 MIXING ASSEMBLIES FOR APPLICATORS Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, NY. 10583 Filed Aug. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 576,429 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-80) This invention relates to mixing assemblies for an applicator, and has for its primary object the provision of a single package assembly for facilitating the separate shelf storage of two substances adapted to be thereafter mixed, and further facilitates the application of the mixture through a novel applicator head integrally connected by a bellows to a fitting for attachment to the neck of a container.

The present invention is especially adapted for use with two materials or substances which have an extended shelf life when not mixed, but which must be utilized relatively soon after mixture to prevent deterioration. Various cosmetics, medications, hair dyes, pigments, epoxy adhesives, polishes, cleansing solutions and the like have the foregoing characteristics. For example, conventional hair dyes employ a base material such as a peroxide solution or the like, with which a pigmented material or solution is mixed for immediate application on the hair. The color is determined by the make-up of the pigmented solution. If the pigmented material is mixed with the base and allowed to stand, the mixture may rapidly deteriorate and thus become unusable. It is often very messy to mix these solutions together using separate containers, and the present invention overcomes these difliculties by providing a unitary storage and mixing facility, but also has the additional advantage of providing for convenient application of the mixed fluid by providing for convenient flow of the mixed fluid onto the applicator surface.

One of the important objects of the invention resides in the provision of a stem integrally formed with the applicator head and bellows and so arranged as to open a sealing member to permit mixing of the materials upon depression of the applicator head and bellows.

Futher objects of the invention reside in several different types of novel sealing means adapted to be opened upon initial actuation of a stem to permit mixture of the substances. The sealing means may be in the form of a frangible plate or bottom portion of a retainer ring, a seal bonded or spin welded to the retainer ring, or a plug or container detachably secured to the retainer ring.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an applicator that permits the separate shelf storage of two substances of an unstable mixture and which facilitates the mixture of the two substances and further facilitates the application of the mixture immediately after mixing using a novel applicator head, all without removing the substances from the simple assembly comprising the present invention or requiring any exterior handling thereof.

The construction of this invention features an applicator for use with a container provided with a neck having an open, end and having a first substance disposed therein, the applicator comprising a retainer ring having a projecting portion for reception in said neck, and a portion overlying said open end. The applicator further including an outer fitting detachably engaging the outer surface of said neck, an applicator head having openings therethrough, a resilient bellows integral with said applicator head and said fitting and connecting said fitting to said applicator head. The projecting portion is provided at the lowermost end thereof with sealing means to hold a second substance within said retainer ring. A stem is integrally formed with and depends from said applicator head and is engageable with said sealing means upon depression of said applicator head and bellows to open said sealing means to permit the second substance to mix with the first substance.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an applicator which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, capable of metering fluid, such as hair coloring dyes and the like, of various viscosities in an eifective manner, and which is especially adapted for use in connection with cosmetics, medications, hair dyes and tints, polishes, and the like.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this applicator, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view tion constructed in accordance present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the applicator in a position during initial operation thereof for opening the sealing means;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the applicator head;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but of a modified embodiment of the applicator;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the applicator thereof during the stage of initial opening thereof;

FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of the applicator illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and illustrating details of the applicator head;

FIG. 7 is a vertical the invention;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the plane of line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional View of an additional modified embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 10 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 showing the applicator after opening the sealing means.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate an embodiment of the applicator comprising the present invention. This applicator 10 includes a container 12 having a neck 11 provided with an open end 13 in which a retainer ring 14 is positioned. The retainer ring includes a projecting portion 15 designed to fit in the neck 11. Integrally formed with the projecting portion 15 is an overlying portion 16 which overlies the open end 13 and with which a fitting 18 is integrally formed. The fitting is snap fitted by means of a rib 20 seating in a groove 22 in the neck 11 or threadedly secured or otherwise secured to neck 11. A bellows 24 is also integrally formed with the fitting.

An applicator head 26 is disposed above and outwardly of the retainer ring 14 and the bellows 24 is integrally molded therewith. The bellows 24 are resilient and normally urge the application head 26 away from the retainer ring 14. The applicator head is provided with a plurality of bores 28 therethrough so that liquid material may pass there through onto the outer surface 30 of the applicator head.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bores the center of the applicator head 26 so that the stem 32 can be integrally molded with the applicator head 26 and depend from the center thereof. The bores 28 circumferentially surround the stem 32. The stem 32 may be provided with a pointed end 34.

The lowermost edge 36 of the projecting portion 15 has sealing means 38 spin welded, bonded, or otherwise secured thereto. The sealing means forms a sealing closure through an applicawith the concepts of the sectional view of another form of 28 are spaced from for the retaining ring and may be in the form of a frangible plastic sheet or the like.

Disposed in the container 12 is a first substance indicated at A, such as a liquid component of a hair dye or the like. A second substance B, such as a pigment, powder, or the like is sealed within the retainer ring 14 so that upon depression of the applicator head 26, the stem 32 will cause the sealing means 38 to be opened, as shown in FIG. 2, allowing the substance B to mix with the substance A. The initial actuation of the applicator head 26 will break the seal.

Use thereafter of the applicator allows for the mixed solutions to pass through the bores 28.

The bellows 24 performs the unusual multiple func tions of securely mounting the applicator head 26 and normally urges the applicator head 26 away from the retaining ring 14 and the stem 32 away from the sealing means 38 and provides for resiliently mounting the applicator head with the stem 32 serving as a limit or centering device.

A cap 58 is secured to the applicator by having its rib 52 snap fitted in a groove 54 provided in the fitting 18.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, reference numeral is used to generally designate this embodiment of the applicator. This applicator 110 includes a container 112 having a neck 111 provided with an open end 113 in which a retainer ring 114 is positioned. The retainer ring includes a projecting portion 115 designed to fit in the neck 111. The retaining ring 114 further has a bottom for forming a sealing means as will be hereinafter described. Integrally formed with the projecting portion 115 is an overlying portion 116 which overlies the open end 113. A fitting 118 is snap fitted by means of a rib 120 seating in a groove 122 in the neck 111 or threadedly secured or otherwise secured to neck 111. A bellows 124 is integrally formed with the fitting 118.

An applicator head 126 is disposed above the fitting 118 and the bellows 124, and is integrally molded therewith. The applicator head is much thicker than the bellows and the bellows 124 are resilient and normally urge the applicator head 126 away from the retainer ring 114. The applicator head is provided with a plurality of bores 128 therethrough so that liquid material may pass therethrough onto the fiat outer surface 130 of the applicator head. The applicator head is of a tapered conical configuration having inclined portions 131 integral with the flat outer surface 130.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bores 128 are systematically spaced about the applicator head 126 and a stem 132 is integrally molded with the thick inclined portions 131 of the applicator head 126 and depends therefrom. A removable seal 135 is self-adhesively secured to the outer surface 130 for sealing the applicator. The stem 132 may be provided with a pointed end 134.

The bottom of the retainer ring 114 is integrally formed therewith and forms a sealing means 138 which may be provided with a groove for weakening the sealing means.

The offset arrangement of the stem 134 permits for the convenient opening of the sealing means at the frangible grooved portion 140 while also permitting optimum location for the bores 128.

The fitting 118 has a flange having downwardly depending tongues 152 for engaging the overlying portion 116 so that the fitting 118 holds the retaining ring 114 securely in place.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, reference numeral 210 generally designates this embodiment of the applicator which includes a container 212 having a neck 211 provided with an open end 213 in which a retainer ring 214 is positioned. The retainer ring includes a projecting portion 215 designed to fit in the neck 211. The retainer ring 214 further has a bottom for forming a sealing means as will be hereinafter described.

1 Integrally formed with the projecting portion 215 is an overlying portion 216 which overlies the open end 213. A fitting 218 is threadedly secured on the neck 211. A bellows 224 is integrally formed with the fitting 218.

An applicator head 226 is disposed above the fitting 218, and the bellows 224, and is integrally molded therewith. The applicator head is much thicker than the bellows and the bellows 224 are resilient and normally urge the applicator head 226 away from the retainer ring 214. The applicator head is provided with a plurality of bores 228 therethrough so that liquid material may pass therethrough onto the fiat outer surface 230 of the applicator head. The applicator head has externally threaded side wall portions 231 integral with the fiat outer surface 230.

A stem 232 is integrally molded with the thick side wall portions 231 of the applicator head 226 and depends therefrom. The stem 232 may be provided with a point end 234.

The bottom of the retainer ring 214 is integrally formed therewith and forms a sealing means 238 which may be provided with a groove for weakening the sealing means. Theoifset arrangement of the stern 234 permits for the convenient opening of the sealing means at the frangible grooved portion 248 while also permitting optimum location for the bores 228.

The fitting 218 has a flange 250 having downwardly depending tongues 252 for engaging the overlying portion 216 so that the fitting 218 holds the retaining ring 214 securely in place.

A cap 260 which is of a suitable size and configuration is threadedly secured on the threaded side wall portions 231 for closing the applicator.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the applicator 310 includes a container 312 having an externally threaded neck 311 provided with an open end 313 in which a retainer ring 314 is positioned. The retainer ring 314 includes a projecting portion 315 designed to fit in the neck 311. Integrally formed with the projecting portion 315 is an overlying portion 316 which overlies the open end 313 and with which a fitting 318 is integrally formed. The fitting is threadedly secured by means of threads 320 engaging threads 322 on the neck 311. A bellows 324 is also integrally formed with the fitting.

An applicator head 326 is disposed above the retainer ring 314 and the bellows 324 is integrally molded therewith. The bellows 324 are resilient and normally urge the applicator head 326 away from the retainer ring 314. The applicator head is provided with a plurality of bores 328 therethrough so that liquid material may pass therethrough onto the outer surface 330 of the applicator head.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the bores 328 are spaced about the center of the applicator head 326 and the stern 332 integrally depends from the tapered portion 331 of the applicator head 326 or is otherwise otfset. The stem 332 may be provided with a pointed end 334.

The lowermost edge 336 of the projecting portion 315 has sealing means 338 force fitted therein. The sealing means 338 includes side walls 340 and a bottom 342 forming a container for material B. The sealing means includes a flange 344 which underlies and engages the end 346 of the retainer ring 314. The offset location of the stem facilitates opening of the sealing means, while providing for optimum location of the bores 328.

Disposed in the container 312 is a first substance indicated at A, such as a liquid component of a hair dye or the like. A second substance B, such as a pigment, powder, or the like is sealed within the retainer ring 314 so that upon depression of the applicator head 326, the stem 332 will cause the sealing means 338 to be opened allowing the substance B to mix with the substance A. A cap 356 may be snap fitted to the fitting 318.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. An applicator for use with a container provided with a neck having an open end and having a first substance disposed therein, said applicator comprising a retainer ring having a projecting portion for reception in said neck, and a portion overlying said open end, said applicator further including a fitting detachably engaging the outer surface of said neck, an applicator head having openings therethrough, a resilient bellows integral with said applicator head and said fitting and connecting said fitting to said applicator head, said projecting portion being provided at the lowermost end thereof with sealing means to hold a second substance within said retainer ring, and a stem integrally depending from said applicator head and being engageable with said sealing means upon depression of said applicator head and bellows to open said sealing means to permit the second substance to mix with the first substance, said bellows normally urging said stem away from said sealing means.

2. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said fitting is integral with said retainer ring and said bellows.

3. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said stem depends from the center of said applicator head.

4. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said applicator head is of a truncated conical shape having a flat upper portion and tapered portions, said bores extending through said flat upper portion, said stem depending from said tapered portion.

5. An applicator according to claim 4, wherein sai sealing means is integrally formed with said retainer ring and forms the bottom thereof, said sealing means having a groove therein for weakening said bottom adjacent saiC stem.

6'. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprises a container removably force fitted in said retainer ring.

7. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said applicator head includes a flat upper portion and externally threaded side walls, said bores extending through said fiat upper portion, said stem depending from said threaded side walls, and a cap threadedly secured on said threaded side walls.

8. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said fitting is provided with a groove, and a cap having a rib thereon, said cap overlying said applicator head with said rib snap fitted in said groove in said fitting.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,275,567 3/1942 Smith 20647 2,653,610 9/1953 Smith 206:47 2,659,370 11/1953 Smith 20647 2,721,552 10/1955 Nosik 20647 2,773,591 12/1956 Jensen 20647 3,221,917 12/1965 Santo et a1. 206-47 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPLICTOR FOR USE WITH A CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH A NECK HAVING AN OPEN AND HAVING A FIRST SUBSTANCE DISPOSED THEREIN, SAID APPLICATOR COMPRISING A RETAINER RING HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION FOR RECEPTION IN SAID NECK, AND A PORTION OVERLYING SAID OPEN END, SAID APPLICATOR FURTHER INCLUDING A FITTING DETACHBLY ENGAGING THE OUTER SURFACE OF SIAD NECK, AN DAPPLICATOR HEAD HAVING OPENINGS THERETHROUGH, A RESILIENT BELLOWS INTEGRAL WITH SIAD APPLICATOR HEAD AND SAID FITTING AND CONNECTING SAID FITTING TO SIAD APPLICATOR HEAD, SAID PROJECTING PORTION BEING PROVIDED AT THE LOWERMOST END THEREOF WITH SEALING MEANS TO HOLD A SECOND SUBSTANCE WITHIN SAID RETAINER RING, AND A STEM INTEGRALLY DEPENDING FROM SAID APPLICATOR HEAD AND BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SEALING MEANS UPON DEPRESSION OF SAID APPLICATOR HEAD AND BELLOWS TO OPEN SID SEALING MEANS TO PERMIT THE SECOND SUBSTANCE TO MIX WITH THE FIRST SUBSTANCE, SAID BELLOWS NORMALLY URGING SAID STEM AWAY FROM SAID SEALING MEANS. 